Tramlines 2024: community, sustainability, and local business support

Tramlines Festival, Sheffield’s most anticipated event, is just around the corner, scheduled for July 26-28. This year, Tramlines is set to make a substantial impact with a range of community-focused initiatives aimed at nurturing local talent, promoting environmental sustainability, and boosting local businesses.

Among the new measures are a sponsored scholarship in collaboration with WaterBear Music College, tree planting in Hillsborough Park, and the ‘Hillsborough Hotspots’ campaign to support local enterprises.

Empowering musicians: WaterBear Scholarship

Tramlines has partnered with WaterBear Music College to offer a three-year scholarship at its new Sheffield campus. This scholarship will cover tuition for a Bachelor of Arts course, providing aspiring musicians with access to premier education and opportunities. Timm Cleasby, Operations Director of Tramlines, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, highlighting its alignment with the festival's core values and commitment to fostering the next generation of Sheffield artists.

In addition to the WaterBear scholarship, Tramlines offers several educational and experiential opportunities for young people. These include hands-on shadowing experiences with the festival's technical production and press teams, behind-the-scenes tours for journalism students from the University of Sheffield, and paid graduate work placements. Since 2018,

Tramlines has facilitated 48 such placements and maintains active engagement with local educational institutions through regular talks and collaborations.

Green initiatives: planting trees in Hillsborough Park

Tramlines is investing in the future of Hillsborough Park by donating £5,000 for the planting of new trees. This initiative ensures that the park remains a vibrant and welcoming space for the community. The tree planting will take place during the winter season following the 2024 festival, guided by Sheffield City Council’s Community Forestry team.

Supporting local businesses: Hillsborough Hotspots

To bolster the local economy, Tramlines continues its ‘Hillsborough Hotspots’ campaign, which highlights key local businesses for festival-goers to visit. Featured spots include Ue' Paisa' for pizza enthusiasts, Cupola Contemporary Art for art lovers, Ellen Jean for sustainable fashion, Hillsborough Tap and Pangolin Craft Beer for beer aficionados, and The Delightful Touch Cafe for those seeking delicious cakes and brunch. Tramlines also provides heavily subsidized stalls for local traders within the festival's ‘Little Hillsborough’ area, with all infrastructure supported by the festival itself. This initiative follows an independent study in 2023 that revealed Tramlines generates an annual economic boost of £3.8 million for Sheffield.

Community engagement: free tickets and accessibility

Continuing its tradition of community engagement, Tramlines has partnered with Sheffield-based Tickets for Good to distribute free tickets to NHS staff, charity workers, and individuals affected by the cost of living crisis. This initiative ensures broader community access to the festival. Additionally, a significant number of free and discounted tickets are made available to local residents, extending the festival's inclusivity.

The festival experience: beyond music

Timm Cleasby notes the festival's efforts to integrate community support into various aspects of Tramlines. From local school tea towels featuring children's drawings of the bands to ongoing support for local businesses, the festival aims to make a positive impact on Sheffield. Cleasby is particularly proud of the new scholarship opportunity with WaterBear and the festival's contributions to enhancing Hillsborough Park.

Tramlines 2024 Lineup

Friday, 26 July

• Headliners: Paolo Nutini, Bombay Bicycle Club
• Featured Acts: The Charlatans, Soft Play, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Miles Kane
• Special Guests: The View, Dylan John Thomas
• Comedy: Lucy Beaumont, Justin Moorhouse, Andy Askins, and more
• Barrioke with Shaun Williamson, ABBA Party

Saturday, 27 July

• Headliners: Jamie T, Tom Grennan
• Featured Acts: Holly Humberstone, The Snuts, Annie Mac, Peace
• Special Guests: Everly Pregnant Brothers
• Comedy: Angelos Epithemiou, Olivia Lee, Joe McTernan, Scott Bennett

Sunday, 28 July

• Headliners: Snow Patrol, The Human League
• Featured Acts: Example, Yard Act, Maximo Park
• Comedy: Jon Richardson, Andrew Maxwell, Jack Gleadow, Danny McLoughlin

Additional information

• The festival will be held at Hillsborough Park, Sheffield, S6 2AB.
• Weekend tickets are sold out, but day tickets are available starting from £45 plus booking fees.
• Kids tickets are priced from £2 plus booking fees.
• For more information and to purchase tickets, visit Tramlines Festival.